|
Our Voice in Brussels
'Elections to the European Parliament will be held in all member states of the European Union (EU) between 22 and 25 May 2014, (in Spain on May 24th) unless the Council acting unanimously decides to change the dates. It will be the eighth Europe-wide election to the European Parliament since the first direct elections in 1979'. (Wikipedia). Who will the Foreigners in Spain vote for, the candidate MEP list from the Partido Popular (who, obviously, won't do anything for us) or the candidate MEP list from the PSOE (who, obviously, won't do anything for us either). Anyone out there want to start a pro-european residents party?
|
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
My MEP is http://www.gileschichestermep.org.uk/
I wanted to vote for https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screaming_Lord_Sutch but he was not on the list :frown: |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
Yes, poor old Screamin' Lord Sutch. He wanted to change the name of the island of Jersey to Cardigan.
Here in Spain, we get fifty 'eurodiputados' divided up from the party lists but without regional representation. So, your vote here (if, as a resident on the padrón, you have asked to vote in Spain) goes to a party list rather than a single candidate. Naturally, the Spanish MEPS vote for Spain's interest - and not that of those foreign-Europeans who have chosen to live here. Occasionally, some European MEPs help us out (for the noblest of reasons), but it would be interesting if the 30 million displaced Europeans scattered across the EU had a voice in Brussels. The nearest to this ideal that I know of is the French Government which has two MPs within the national parliament to represent the French diaspora. |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
We have the freedom of movement within the EU, but we do not have the freedom to control, vote and govern any country that we happen to reside in
i.e. Spain can do what the hell it likes and unless we take up Spanish nationality, then it has nothing to do with us |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 10731970)
We have the freedom of movement within the EU, but we do not have the freedom to control, vote and govern any country that we happen to reside in
i.e. Spain can do what the hell it likes and unless we take up Spanish nationality, then it has nothing to do with us The thing I find unacceptable is that in the UK the incomers have immediate say and control over how the country is operated whilst here in Spain a large number of expats are disenfranchised. :frown: |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
Originally Posted by Lenox
(Post 10731287)
'Elections to the European Parliament will be held in all member states of the European Union (EU) between 22 and 25 May 2014, (in Spain on May 24th) unless the Council acting unanimously decides to change the dates. It will be the eighth Europe-wide election to the European Parliament since the first direct elections in 1979'. (Wikipedia). Who will the Foreigners in Spain vote for, the candidate MEP list from the Partido Popular (who, obviously, won't do anything for us) or the candidate MEP list from the PSOE (who, obviously, won't do anything for us either). Anyone out there want to start a pro-european residents party?
Do we bring our own drink or is there going to be a bar ?? ;) |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
Originally Posted by Domino
(Post 10731988)
The thing I find unacceptable is that in the UK the incomers have immediate say and control over how the country is operated |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 10732009)
No they don't. They can vote in local elections but not in general elections, just like in Spain
You can register to vote if you are: ■16 years old or over and a British citizen or an Irish, qualifying Commonwealth or European Union citizen who is resident in the UK If you are 16 or 17, you can only register if you will be 18 within the lifetime of the electoral register. You cannot vote until you are 18. Below is a full list of Commonwealth and European Union countries. If you are a citizen of one of these countries, and resident in the UK, you are eligible to register to vote in UK elections. To qualify, Commonwealth citizens must be resident in the UK and either have leave to enter or remain in the UK or not require such leave. The definition of a 'Commonwealth citizen' includes citizens of British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories. Citizens of the European Union (who are not Commonwealth citizens or Citizens of the Republic of Ireland) can vote in European and local elections in the UK, elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies (if they live in those areas) and some referendums (based on the rules for the particular referendum) but are not able to vote in UK Parliamentary general elections. Note : *Although also EU member states, citizens of Cyprus and Malta are eligible to be registered to vote in respect of all elections held in the UK. **Citizens of Fiji and Zimbabwe retain their voting rights despite the countries having been suspended from the Commonwealth |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
Originally Posted by Domino
(Post 10732036)
I quote: "Citizens of the European Union can vote in European and local elections in the UK, elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies (if they live in those areas) and some referendums (based on the rules for the particular referendum) but are not able to vote in UK Parliamentary general elections" |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 10732044)
Err, you didnt read the text in your own link then?
I quote: "Citizens of the European Union can vote in European and local elections in the UK, elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies (if they live in those areas) and some referendums (based on the rules for the particular referendum) but are not able to vote in UK Parliamentary general elections" To qualify, Commonwealth citizens must be resident in the UK and either have leave to enter or remain in the UK or not require such leave. |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
Este hombre no existe?
That can't be true. I'm here. My bank acknowledges that I exist, they let me draw out a few Euros this very morning. Mind you, it might still be true. My wife totally ignored me earlier when I told her to hide the little dog sat on her lap as I could see a trafico check point ahead. But they ignored me and I was pleased that I didn't exist. |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
Well, it's the European elections next May. Those of us living, empadronado and on the Spanish electoral register (practically all of us!) can vote. Boring and not worth the trouble perhaps, but my point was this... imagine someone in Brussels who dealt with ex-pat issues. Since the Spanish won't vote much (it's a boring election), it might be possible to do something.
Pass the hat, maybe I'll do it myself (together with Cricketman) :) |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
Originally Posted by Lenox
(Post 10732540)
Well, it's the European elections next May. Those of us living, empadronado and on the Spanish electoral register (practically all of us!) can vote. Boring and not worth the trouble perhaps, but my point was this... imagine someone in Brussels who dealt with ex-pat issues. Since the Spanish won't vote much (it's a boring election), it might be possible to do something.
Pass the hat, maybe I'll do it myself (together with Cricketman) :) :sneaky: |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
I believe that the million expats living in Spain should have a voice in matters that affect them directly, certainly on a local level, and I applaud people like Lennox who make the effort to help them do so.
It doesn't apply on a national level, that is for Spanish people and Spanish people alone. Despite Domino saying that after 15 years an expat no longer exists (and I think I may know what he means in an extremely roundabout way), you do still 'exist', although the way things are heading you may be quite happy to become invisible. But it's a Catch 22 situation, invisible people can't vote anywhere. |
Re: Our Voice in Brussels
Originally Posted by Domino
(Post 10732089)
And remember that whilst in Spain you retain your British rights but only for 15 years after which you become non-existant. |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 11:10 am. |
Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.